Pro-Russian activists hold Russian national flags during a demonstration rally in the center of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk on March 15, 2014. (AFP Photo) / AFP

Thousands have gathered in the city of Donetsk, picketing the Security Council building. The protesters called for the current Kiev authorities to release the local governor and pro-Russian activists detained earlier, threatening to storm the building.

The protesters blocked the Security Council building trying to
break the doors and smashing windows on Saturday afternoon.
Activists removed the Ukrainian flag from the top of the
building, hoisting a Russian tricolor.

The protesters were demanding the release of local governor Pavel
Gubarev and 70 pro-Russian activists previously detained by the
current Kiev authorities. They also urged local law enforcement
to take their side.

The local head of the Security Council has promised the
protesters to release the activists and Gubarev, according to
Life news. He then reportedly escaped through the back door of
the building.

Initially the rally in support of the Crimea referendum was to be
held at the city’s main square. However the protesters marched
from the square to the Security Council building picketing in
front of it.

The local demonstrators also want to hold a separate referendum
on the region’s accession to Russia. During the rally the people
were carrying Russian flags chanting “Donbass is Russia”
and “Referendum!”

Earlier this week bloody clashes in the city of Donetsk ended with a
murder and multiple casualties. On Thursday, far-right extremists
attacked a peaceful demonstration protesting “the destructive
position of the people calling themselves the Ukrainian
authorities,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.